Additional details from the board of directors meeting of the Racing Medication & Testing Consortium in Chicago on June 28, 2005:

Election of Officers

Three new officers were elected by the board: Alan Foreman, executive director of the Thoroughbred Horsemen's Association (and former RMTC secretary), co-vice chair; Chris Scherf, TRA executive vice president, co-vice chair; Rogers Beasley, director of racing, Keeneland, treasurer; Dr. Rick Arthur of Oak Tree Racing Association, secretary.

Penalties Section

The recommendations distinguish between therapeutic medications routinely used to treat racehorses and those drugs that have no reason to be found at any concentration in a test sample on race day.

The RCI Drug Classifications have been reorganized into four categories from the previous five classifications for penalty allocation purposes. At the request of trainers' representatives on the RMTC board, the Penalty Section also includes a detailed explanation of extenuating, mitigating and aggravating circumstances that can cause the recommended fine and suspension to be reduced or increased.

Veterinarians found to be directly involved in the administration of any drug resulting in a positive test may be subject to the same penalties set forth for the licensed trainer. Owners whose horses repeatedly receive positive tests or are found to be a party to the improper or intentional administration of a drug may also be subject to administrative action in addition to loss of purse.

Big Event Team (BET)

A team of seven highly experienced TRPB agents and state racing commission investigators were on the grounds of Churchill, Pimlico and Belmont for several days during Triple Crown races to work in close cooperation with track, commission and local law enforcement to provide additional investigative, security and racing experience.

The BET staff helped train the local law enforcement officers and track security guards assigned to monitor and protect Triple Crown and other stakes race entries 48 to 72 hours prior to the races. The BET staff received high praise from horsemen and law enforcement officials.

The RMTC helped fund the BET security force, which was also in place for the Blue Grass Stakes at Keeneland. Plans are to continue the BET program upon request from tracks and state racing commissions. The Hambletonian Society and The Meadowlands have requested the BET team's assistance at several major harness racing stakes this year.

In addition, the RMTC is assisting TRPB and its sister organization, Standardbred Investigative Services, with publicizing the 1-800 hotlines for confidential information on suspected prohibited practices in Thoroughbred, Quarter Horse and Standardbred racing. Several thousand 1-888-TRPB-TIP posters in both English and Spanish will be distributed to tracks and training centers for prominent display, and ads will be provided for programs, condition books and overnights.

Frank Fabian, president of the TRPB, also discussed TRPB and RMTC plans to provide recommended best practices and continuing education for track and commission security forces. In addition, the BET staff would be available to conduct an on-site security evaluation and provide recommendations for improvements to tracks and commissions upon request. Finally, considerations are underway for the expansion of the BET staff to provide greater investigatory capabilities and possible undercover operations in 2006.

Funding Formula

At the October 2004 meeting, the RMTC board approved a $5 per start fee from owners and/or the representative horsemen's organization to begin on a voluntary basis in 2005. The Florida HPBA and Oak Tree Racing Association have been participating in this format since 2004. Approved at this meeting was a proposal for an equitable contribution from tracks based on their horsemen's contribution factored by the average daily purse at each track. The actual formula is the horsemen's contribution based on $5 per start multiplied by the average purse per race at that track divided by the average national purse per race. The board has been in contact with RMTC member organizations for endorsement of the funding formula and will be contacting state horsemen's groups and their respective tracks for participation beginning in 2006 or sooner.

For additional information:

Dr. Scot Waterman, Executive Director, RMTC: (859) 422-2675
Dan Fick, Chairman, RMTC: (859) 224-2708